#AustrianGP Day 3: Márquez sets a new track record on his way to pole position

The last preparations for tomorrow’s big races are done and dusted – and with those there were two further records to celebrate for Marc Márquez. Fans were greeted by brilliant sunshine and an action-packed programme on and off track. It’s been a perfect MotoGP Saturday at the Spielberg. Convinced? There are some tickets left for the ‘myWorld Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich 2019 – get to the box offices on Sunday between 08:00 and 14:00!

Honda, Yamaha and Ducati dominate FP3 & FP4

Honda, Yamaha, Ducati: Those were the top 3 manufacturers in Saturday’s third free practice session. Marc Márquez put in the best lap in 1:23.251 minutes, placing finishing 0.340 seconds ahead of Maverick Viñales and 0.342 seconds in front of rival Andrea Dovizioso. All riders – apart from Stefan Bradl – were able to improve on their Friday times.
Yamaha, Ducati, Honda: Same players, different order in the FP4 session. Viñales topped the standings in 1:23.983 minutes with Dovizioso (1:23.997) and Márquez (1:24.048) just fractions shy behind the Yamaha rider.

MotoGP Qualifying 1 as it happened

14:10: Q1 starts. 32 degrees Celsius ambient and 49 degrees asphalt
14:12: Bagnaia leads the way
14:15: Crutchlow tops the standings with 24.3
14:17: Bagnaia improves to 24.2 and takes the lead in ahead of Rabat, Morbidelli and Zarco.
14:18: First runs are over and the riders return to the pits for fresh rubber.
14:23: Bradl has to abandon his lap on the main straight and goes slowly to Turn 1.
14:26: Crutchlow leads Bagnaia
14:27: Crutchlow and Bagnaia made their way to Q2. Oliveira in third is the first to miss out. Behind him: Morbidelli, Rabat and Zarco. Bradl is beset by technical issues and ends up 11th and last.

MotoGP Qualifying 2 as it happened

14:35: Q2 and the fight for pole position is begun.
14:38: Viñales posts a 23.9
14:39: Viñales imporves with 23.6
14:40: World Champion Márquez has an answer and pulls out a 23.3
14:42: Márquez leads Viñales, Quartararo, Miller, Crutchlow and Rossi
14:48: Márquez gets down to 1.23.027 – a new track record at the Red Bull Ring!
14:49: Petrucci crashes in Turn 4
14:51: Marquez, Quartararo and Dovizioso will form tomorrow’s front row, followed by Viñales, Bagnaia and Nakagami in the second row of the grid. Third row: Rins, Miller and Crutchlow, followed by Rossi, Pol Espargaró and Petrucci.

Further two records for Márquez

Marc Márquez finished the day with another two records to his name: He broke the track record of the Red Bull Ring, previously held by Andrea Iannone from Qualifying 2016 in 1:23.142. Today was also the Spaniards 59th pole position of his career, taking over the pole record from Australian legend Mick Doohan.

Quotes of the Top 3

“A good lap,” said Márquez of his new record, even though he was aiming for a first 1:22 time.
“This has been an outstanding performance. Marc was extremely fast today again, which is especially hard with those hot temperatures,” said Andrea Dovizioso of his rival. But he is not about to make it easy for the world champion in Sunday’s race. “We are working hard and we will fight tomorrow, that is for sure, we are ready,” Dovizioso continued. But Marc Márquez, who has never won at the Red Bull Ring before, is also determined. “Sunday is the most important day. There are some many components to look out for, but this time we have a good chance.”

Fabio Quartararo was happy with his second-place start on the front row. “My target would have been second or third row, so the first row is a big surprise for me,” the young Frenchman said.

Race day! Sunday at the Red Bull Ring

The Warm Up Sessions will be held from 08:20 with the first race of the day, MotoE starting at 10:00. The Moto3 and Moto2 are set to follow at 11:00 and 12:20. At 13:51 the Austrian national anthem will be played, with the start of the MotoGP race as highlight of the #AustrianGP 2019 to begin at 14:00.
Detailed Info on the programme here and in the Spielberg App.

Early Bird-Action: Arrive early

Sunday’s Red Bull Ring doors open at 7 o’clock and for those arriving early there will be a free croissant and a coffee or a can of Red Bull. Vouchers – as long stock lasts – will be handed out at the entrance and are valid in the Spielberg MotoGP Bike City.
All travel info can be found here and – together with other crucial info and the current rumours and news – at the Spielberg App.

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